Egypt to Suspend Peacekeeping Role In Mali

The Egyptian government has told the United Nations that it will temporarily suspend the activities of its contingent in a Mali peacekeeping mission.

This comes after deadly attacks on its peacekeeper who escort convoys supplying UN bases have caused the death of seven Egyptian soldiers since the beginning of the year.

The UN mission in Mali spokesman, Olivier Salgado said “We have been informed that as a result, the Egyptian contingent will temporarily suspend its activities within MINUSMA as of August 15.”

UN deputy spokesman, Farhan Haq said UN headquarters in New York: “We respect and deeply appreciate the service and significant sacrifice by Egypt and other countries contributing uniformed personnel to our missions, which operate in extremely difficult and often dangerous conditions.”

He said the UN is also dealing with the Mali government on a number of issues including its suspension of rotations in the UN peacekeeping mission, known as MINUSMA.

Read Also: Mali Suspends Arrival of New UN Peacekeepers

Egypt currently contributes about 1,030 troops and 24 staff officers to the UN Mali mission.

CGTN/CO